Top 20 Natural Monuments around Aulus-Les-Bains

It is a MUST of the Pyrenees, without a doubt, that should be included in any route that crosses the Pyrenees from side to side. Any of its slopes 2 is spectacular and tough. The views from its summit are wonderful, feeling the wild side of the Pyrenees. Of course, once at the summit of this pass... you have to descend to the Étang de Lers and enjoy a quiet rest on the shores of the lake. It is a pass that has been part of the Tour de France route on several occasions, although always far from the finish line. The first professional rider to crest it in the lead was the unforgettable Marco Pantani in 1995.

The highest peak in the Catalan Pyrenees is well worth the visit, although you have to earn it as it is a long route with considerable elevation gain to overcome.

I liked the climb from the north side (from Massat), very scenic and alpine landscapes towards the end at the étang de Lers

Fantastic panoramic views all around; this summit is well worth it, as you can see from my two panorama photos. Ascent from Estany de Sotllo via the pass. I took the partly exposed scrambling/climbing ridge via Pic Verdaguer. Beautiful scrambling; you just have to be careful to stay on the right track. Descent around the summit, then back to the same pass and down past the same beautiful mountain lakes, and via the Valferrera Hut into the valley. The length and roughness of this route surprised me. Luckily, I didn't start my ascent from the hut. The section along the mountainside, especially above the hut, was quite challenging. There are frequent short climbs over rocky outcrops, and at one point, I found myself on a side path below the main trail, which then ended in the undergrowth. After a short climb, everything was fine again.

I think making this peak a highlight of my run is quite a challenge. Taking the easiest route via the Refuge de Pinet would be at least challenging mountain trail running. Inexperienced runners should definitely be aware of the altitude and terrain.

A well-known 3000-meter peak entirely on the French side, with a flat summit (and bivouac stone walls). There are four ascent routes: -from the east from the Étang de Soulcem (T4) -from the north via the Refuge du Pinet (T3+) -from the northeast (steep T4+ gully, dangerous in icy conditions) -from the Spanish side (south) with an easy intermediate descent (T3+) Designed as a "mountain hiking" highlight, as some tours go beyond simple "hiking." I combined the tour with the Sotllo (T4+).

I created the summit myself as a "highlight" for mountain hiking, as my chosen long loop, including the Pic de Sotllo, was a bit more challenging. The "normal route" via the Refuge de Pinet is technically easier and lacks any real climbing. However, I find the mountain hiking category more appropriate due to the altitude and terrain. Unfortunately, Komoot makes my highlight invisible to others on the map. As has happened with several of my previous highlights in other regions, where I marked the only point.

This 3000-meter peak on the French side of the Pyrenees' main ridge is relatively easy to reach via the Refuge de Pinet, but requires a significant elevation gain from the parking lot. Therefore, using the hut is recommended; it also has a room open in winter (€8 unattended). Another ascent from the northeast allows for a "crossing," but it has a steep gully (which, when icy, almost caused me a nasty fall in October 2014). A third ascent option leads from the east, from the reservoir, over the shared pass with the Pica d'Estats. Needless to say, there's a fantastic view from the summit. Only the view to the south is limited by the slightly higher Pica d'Estats, which is why hikers with good fitness and surefootedness are recommended to climb the latter from the shared pass.